Keak Da Sneak at BackBar SoFa

Though he may not be recognized by a large national audience, Keak Da Sneak is a legend among Bay Area hip-hop heads and is an influential force within rap music, broadly speaking. A pioneer of the hyphy sound, Keak’s trademark gravelly vocals and stuttering delivery are instantly identifiable, while his infectious turns of phrase—most notably “fo sheezy”—have been picked up by larger names across the genre. The emcee has had a turbulent couple years. He was nearly killed in a 2016 shooting, and his 2017 album Withdrawal speaks to his struggles with substance abuse. Nonetheless, he continues to shine.